Skip to main content

Maeser, Karl G.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1828 - 1901

Biographical History

Karl G. Maeser (1828-1901) was a well-renowned educator and principal in Utah, particularly respected for his integral role in establishing the theme and focus of Brigham Young Academy.

Maeser was born in Saxony, Germany in January 1828. Maeser went to school in Germany and gained training in teaching. He worked as a teacher and private tutor in and around Germany. Karl G. Maeser married Anna Mieth in 1854. Maeser was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1855. He left Germany in 1856 for the United States and arrived in Utah in 1860.

Karl G. Maeser was the second principal of Brigham Young Academy and served from 1876 until 1892. Under Maeser, Brigham Young Academy established itself as one of the leading schools in Utah territory. Maeser placed the development of character above the development of intellect. In matters of morals and religious conduct, he saw things as black and white. He devised for Brigham Young Academy an intricate system of rules, regulations, and academic routine all designed to form habits of proper conduct.

In 1888 Maeser was made the first General Superintendent of Church Schools as part of the General Board of Education of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maeser Published a book entitled "School and Fireside" in 1898 which reflected his views on education. He died in February 1901.

Citation:
Cundick, R. The brothers, c1986: t.p. (a musical play in one act based on the life of Karl G. Maeser)

Sunday school work, 1892: t.p. (Karl G. Maeser)

Online Utah, via WWW, July 14, 2004 (Karl Gottfried Maeser; the first principal of Brigham Young Univ. [i.e. Brigham Young Academy] and general superintendent of the LDS Church school system; b. 16 Jan. 1828 in Saxony, Germany; d. 15 Feb. 1901)

OCLC, March 19, 2004 (hdg.: Maeser, Karl Gottfried, 1828-1901; usage: Karl G. Maeser)

Wikipedia, via WWW, Sept. 30, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser; Karl Gottfried Maeser; b. Jan. 16, 1828 in Meissen, Germany; d. Feb. 15, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah educator; member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; m. 1854 to Anna Mieth; served as missionary in England, Scotland, Penn., Switzerland, Calif.; m. 1875 to Emilie Damke)

Utah History Encyclopedia, via WWW, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, b. Jan 1928 Saxony Germany, d. Feb 1901, schooling in Germany, taught and tutored in Germany, m. Anna Mieth 1854, baptized LDS 1855, left Germany 1856, arrived in Utah 1860, second principal of BYA 1876-1892, 1888 General Superintendent of Church Schools-General Board of Education of the LDS church, School and Fireside 1898)

Office of the President, viewed Mar. 20, 2013 (Karl G. Maeser, BYA leading schools in Utah territory, development of character over intellect, moral and religious conduct viewed as black and white, devised system of rules regulations and routine for proper conduct at BYA)

Found in 54 Collections and/or Records:

Karl G. Maeser memorial medallions

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578846]
Identifier: UA 5563
Scope and Contents

Contains two clay and gold medallions made to commemorate the centennial of Maeser's birth in 1828.

Dates: 1928

My grandfather Karl G. Maeser

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329150]
Identifier: MSS SC 2905
Scope and Contents

Stories about Karl G. Maeser and Anna Meith Maeser as remembered by their granddaughter.

Dates: 1968

Karl G. Maeser religious lecture minutes

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2980
Scope and Contents

Minutes to lectures given by Karl G. Maeser in his Book of Mormon, New Testament, extempore exercises, and grand theology religion classes at the Brigham Young Academy. Minutes recorded by James E. Talmage, Susa Young, Zina Williams, and others. Second folder includes a typed copy of the minutes, prepared by Evelyn C. Fannin in about the late 1990s.

Dates: 1878-1879

Karl G. Maeser teacher certificate

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578838]
Identifier: UA 5562
Scope and Contents

Certificate giving Maeser permission to teach in the Common Schools of Salt Lake County, dated November 28, 1874.

Dates: 1874 November 28

The Maeser Memorial

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232567120]
Identifier: UA SC 66
Scope and Contents

Small pamphlet describing the efforts in creating and funding a memorial for Karl Maeser. The last page is a donation slip.

Dates: Publication: 1910

Mieth P. Maeser papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197239130955]
Identifier: MSS 9410
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of the Mieth Maeser family, many of which are taken in the New England area, yearbooks from Brigham Young University and Murdock Academy, and a biography of Karl G. Maeser written by Mabel Maeser Tanner. Dated 1918 to 1982.

Dates: 1918-1982

Reinhard Maeser papers

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2115
Scope and Contents Contains a photo negative of Reinhard Maeser, mounted on a wood block for printing; an unidentified photograph, presumably of a school class in Heber City, Utah, taken on the front steps of a building; a photograph of the 20th Ward Institute in Salt Lake City, including Karl G. Maeser, Reinhard Maeser, C. R. Savage, and others; a guest book, accompanied by cards, from the funeral of Reinhard's wife, Sarah Shepherd Maeser; and class notes recorded by Reinhard Maeser at the University of...
Dates: 1878-1944

Office of the President records on Karl G. Maeser, 1952-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Correspondence about a book written by Alma P. Burton about Karl G. Maeser. Also included are lists describing some of the work done by Maeser. The letters discuss the distribution of the books as well as the editing. Dated 1952 to 1955.

Dates: 1952-1955

Oral history interview with Beatrice Maeser Mitchell

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 38
Scope and Contents

Interview by Hollis Scott with Beatrice M. Mitchell, regarding her grandfather Karl G. Maeser, her father Reinhard Maeser, and herself. Includes transcript and sound recording.

Dates: 1980

Oral history interview with Evelyn Crandall

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 64
Scope and Contents

Collection of four separate monologues by Eva Maeser Crandall discussing her father and her mother, Anna Mieth, the Academy and school life, and her poem, "Karl G. Maeser." Includes transcripts of the original recordings.

Dates: 1961-1964